Combined irrigating and fertilizing device



Sept. 10, 1940. M. LESTER 2,214,083

COMBINED IRRIGATING AND FERTILIZING DEVICE Filed Jan. 5, 1939 INVENToR wlmes ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. l0, 194() UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED IRRIGATING AND FERTILIZ- ING DEVICE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to a combined irrigating and fertilizing device for plants and has as one of the principal objects thereof the provision of a device of the character described so con- 5 structed and arranged as to effect a spraying of the plants above the ground as well as to irrigate and fertilize the ground adjacent the roots of the plants.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described which is simple in construction, durable in use, eflicient in operation and economical in manufacture'.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claims 15 and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a vertical 20 invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure l.

In practicing my invention, I provide an elongated casing 5 fashioned with a centrally disposed bore 6 and between the ends thereof with a housing I having detachably threaded therein the open end of a jar 8, the latter preferably constructed of glass or the like and constituting 30 a combined storage and mixing chamber as hereinafter more fully described.

The wall of the casing 5, within the housing 'I, has mounted thereon a rotary valve member 9 operable for selectively opening and closingr a pair of oppositely disposed upwardly converging inlet and discharge passages I and II respectively. A conical shaped valve member I2 is rotatably mounted in the casing between the passages I0 and II and is formed with an opening I3 for establishing communication between the adjacent ends of the bore 6. The upper end of the member I2 is fixed to the valve member 9 and is provided with a tensioning spring to maintain said valve member 9 in appressed relation with the outer wall of the casing 5. Partial rotation of the valve member I2, for instance 90, serves to open the passages I0 and II and close the bore 6 therebetween or vice versa as the case may be.

One end of the casing has connected thereto a valve housing I4, the latter having slidably mounted therein a valve member I5 normally maintained in closed position by means of a spring I6 for closing the bore extending there- 55 through.

sectional view of my The spring is interposed between one end of the valve member I 5 and a pin extending through the bore of said housing.

The opposite end of the'valve member I5 is provided with an arm slidably extending without 5 the housing I 4 for engagement with a trigger I1 pivotally mounted on said housing whereby operation of the trigger serves to actuate the valve member I5 against the tension of the spring I6 and permit a iiow of liquid through the bore 10 of said housing I4 into the bore 6 of the casing 5. 'I'he housing I4 is integrally fashioned with a sleeve I8, the latter being interiorly threaded for connection with a liquid supply 'pipe or the like whereby water is introduced into the device.

The opposite end of the casing 5 is integrally fashioned with a depending connection I9 provided with a, cut off valve 20, the lower end of the connection I9 has threaded thereon the upper end of a tube 2|, the lower end of which is 20 fashioned with a sharp point 22 for penetrating the ground. The tube, above said point 22, is provided with a plurality of dischargeopenings 23 whereby liquid may be discharged from said tube about the roots of plants and the like. The 25 end of the casing 5, adjacent the connection I9, has threaded thereon a cap 24 whereby to close ythe end of the bore 6.

In operation. the container 8 is provided with fertilizer, for instance in powdered form, and the valve member I2 is operated to close the bore 6 between the passages I 0 and II. 'I'he cut oil valve 20 is opened to effect communication between the bore 6 and the bore of the tube 2I whereupon the trigger Il is operated to permit the introduction of water into the bore 6 whereupon the water is introduced into the jar 8 through the passage I0 and mixes therein with the fertilizer. The water thus mixed with the fertilizer, is discharged through the passage II into the bore 6 and thence into the tube 2| and sprayed therefrom through the openings 23 about the roots of a plant to fertilize the same.

When it is desired to merely irrigate the roots of the plant, the valve member I2 isV actuated 45 to effect closure of the passages I0 and II by the valve member 9 and opening of the bore 6 therebetween, whereupon water is discharged directly through the bore 6 into the tube 2I and sprayed through the openings 23 about the roots of the 50 plant to irrigate the same.

When it is desired to fertilize or irrigate the plant above the ground, the cut olf valve 20 is operated to close the bore of the connection I9 and the tube 2l is removed from said connection. 55

:"The cap 2l is then detached from the end of the casing and a spray nozzle or the like attached thereto and the device operated for irrigating or fertilizing the plant through said nozzle in the same manner as described in connection with the tube 2 I.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a simple and eiilcient device whereby the roots as well as the tops of plants may be selectively irrigated or fertilized as desired.

It is obvious that the invention is not confined to the herein described use therefor as it may be utilized for any purpose to which it is adaptable. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific construction as illustrated and described, as the same is only illustrative of the principles of operation, which are capable of extended application in advance forms, and that the invention comprehends all construction within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a valve structure, a casing formed with a liquid passage extending therethrough and provided with a. housing, said casing having a wall connected to said housing and constituting a partition separating said housing from said passage, said partition provided with inlet and outlet ports for effecting communication between said housing and said passage, a valve member mounted in said casing between said ports for controlling a. ow of liquid through said passage, a valve member iixed to said first mentioned valve member and disposed in said housing in appressed relation with said partition for controlling the flow of liquid through said ports, both of said valve members operable in unison to positions closing and opening said passage and opening and closing said ports respectively whereby liquid owing through said passage is by-passed through said housing for mixture with any contents therein and directed solely through said passage respectively. f

2. The structure of claim 1 as set forth and defined therein including, means carried by one of said valve members exteriorly of said casing and housingwfor simultaneously operating both of said valve members.

3. In a valve structure, a casing formed with a liquid passage extending therethrough and provided with a housing having inlet and outlet ports communicating with said passage, a valve member mounted in said casing between said ports for controlling a ilow of liquid through said passage, a valve member fixed to said flrst mentioned valve member and disposed in said housing for controlling the flow of liquid through said ports, both of said valve members operable in unison to positions closing and opening said passage and opening and closing said ports respectively whereby liquid flowing through said passage is by-passed through said housing for mixture with any contents therein and directed solely through said passage respectively, means carried by one of said valve members exteriorly of said casing and housing for simultaneously operating both of said valve members.

MACK LESTER. 

